A ski for use on ice or snow is disclosed. The ski includes a ski body having a tip portion, a tail portion, and a longitudinal running length extending between the tip portion and the tail portion and a substantially flat bottom surface for sliding on snow or ice. The ski also includes a suspension system comprised of a substantially rigid support structure secured to the longitudinally central region of the said ski body at two attachment locations separated by a distance of at least 5 inches along the longitudinal axis of the ski body, and at least one resilient element configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body in the area between the two attachment locations.
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28. A ski for use on ice or snow comprising:
a ski body comprising a tip portion, a tail portion, and a longitudinal running length extending between the tip portion and the tail portion and a substantially flat bottom surface for sliding on snow or ice;
a suspension system comprised of a substantially rigid support structure attached to a longitudinally central region of the ski body at two attachment locations separated by a distance of at least 5 inches along the longitudinal axis of the ski body, wherein one of the attachment locations is forward and one aft of a central longitudinal region of the ski body that exhibits a low flexural modulus relative to a flexural modulus of the ski body at the two attachment locations; and
at least one spring element configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body in an area between the two attachment locations,
wherein expansion of the spring element that is configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body between the two attachment locations causes the tip and/or tail of the ski body to bend upward, decreasing camber and increasing rocker,
wherein compression of the spring element that is configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body between the two attachment locations causes the tip and/or tail of the ski body to bend downward, increasing camber and reducing rocker; and
at least one compressive resilient element, one end of the compressive resilient element coupled to either a front or rear quarter of the running length of the ski body, and the other end coupled to a front end or rear end of the support structure respectively, or to elements within the support structure.
1. A ski for use on ice or snow comprising:
a ski body comprising a tip portion, a tail portion, and a longitudinal running length extending between the tip portion and the tail portion and a substantially flat bottom surface for sliding on snow or ice;
a suspension system comprised of a substantially rigid support structure attached to a longitudinally central region of the ski body at two attachment locations separated by a distance of at least 5 inches along the longitudinal axis of the ski body, wherein one of the attachment locations is forward and one aft of a central longitudinal region of the ski body that exhibits a low flexural modulus relative to a flexural modulus of the ski body at the two attachment locations; and
at least one spring element configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body in an area between the two attachment locations,
wherein expansion of the spring element that is configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body between the two attachment locations causes the tip and/or tail of the ski body to bend upward, decreasing camber and increasing rocker,
wherein compression of the spring element that is configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body between the two attachment locations causes the tip and/or tail of the ski body to bend downward, increasing camber and reducing rocker; and
one or more compressible elements positioned between the support structure and the ski body either forward of or behind the two attachment locations where the one or more compressible elements are configured so that further upward deflection of the ski body beyond a predetermined degree of deflection will cause a spring rate of the ski body to be greater than that exhibited prior to being deflected to the predetermined degree of deflection.
40. A ski for use on ice or snow comprising:
a ski body comprising a tip portion, a tail portion, and a longitudinal running length extending between the tip portion and the tail portion and a substantially flat bottom surface for sliding on snow or ice;
a suspension system comprised of a substantially rigid support structure attached to a longitudinally central region of the ski body at two attachment locations separated by a distance of at least 5 inches along the longitudinal axis of the ski body, wherein one of the attachment locations is forward and one aft of a central longitudinal region of the ski body that exhibits a low flexural modulus relative to a flexural modulus of the ski body at the two attachment locations; and
at least one spring element configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body in an area between the two attachment locations,
wherein expansion of the spring element that is configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body between the two attachment locations causes the tip and/or tail of the ski body to bend upward, decreasing camber and increasing rocker,
wherein compression of the spring element that is configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body between the two attachment locations causes the tip and/or tail of the ski body to bend downward, increasing camber and reducing rocker; and
at least one compressive resilient element, one end of the compressive resilient element coupled to either a front or rear quarter of the running length of the ski body, and the other end coupled to a front end or rear end of the support structure respectively; or to elements within the support structure,
wherein the at least one compressive resilient elements is preloaded so that the compressive resilient element will not compress until the compressive force exceeds a specific threshold, and, prior to said specific threshold force being exceeded, elongation or expansion of the preloaded compressive resilient element is precluded.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/182,252, filed Jun. 19, 2015, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
The sport of alpine skiing is practiced in a wide variety of snow conditions from soft, deep, “bottomless” powder to hard-packed snow and solid ice. This wide range of snow conditions actually encompasses two totally distinct states of the snow: fluid and solid. Each of these two distinct states actually mandates totally different ski equipment.
Devices for moving in a fluid medium must be designed to be buoyant, like a boat, or create lift, like an airplane wing. Conversely, devices designed for a firm surface typically employ means to solidly engage the surface while comprising means to conform to surface irregularities like a military tank tread.
Clearly a military tank and a boat are two distinct devices with little in common, yet the vast majority of recreational alpine skiers attempt to address the distinct solid and fluid states of the snow with a single device—the conventional alpine ski. In reality, there should be two discrete devices, each designed for the specific condition.
Avid, expert skiers are aware of this dichotomy and indeed often employ very different skis for each of these conditions. Firm and hard-packed conditions require fairly stiff skis with significant camber that provide tip and tail pressure to facilitate carving. While this ski design provides excellent performance on firm snow, it is totally inappropriate in powder conditions, as the stiff, cambered tip will dive into the snow instead of floating on top of it.
Conversely, soft snow and powder conditions require a soft flexing ski that incorporates a raised or “rockered” tip similar to the prow of a boat. This tip design keeps the ski from diving into the snow while the soft flex allows the ski to bend and thus evenly pressure the entire length of the ski against the snow for stability and control.
There have been attempts to create a single ski that can reasonably be adapted to the two distinct snow conditions. One design basically starts with a firm-snow carving type ski and adds a mechanical “switch” that can be manually activated to raise the tip of the ski into a rocker configuration. In reality, this is very inconvenient as the skier must stop and take the skis off or reach down in order to switch both skis into the opposite mode every time a transition from firm to soft is encountered and vice-versa.
Another approach that has been tried basically comprises a relatively short carving ski or snowblade with conventional camber but with an extended tip and tail region that is “rockered”. This compromised design only uses the central cambered region of the ski when on a firm surface as the raised tip and tail are in the air, off the snow. Thus on a groomed slope this ski has the undesirable swing weight of a long ski with the instability of an inordinately short ski. Additionally, this design is also a compromise in the soft powder, as the stiff center section does not provide a uniform flex pattern.
The ideal and uncompromised solution would be a ski that responds to the snow condition, transitioning automatically to a soft rocker configuration in powder and a firm, cambered carving configuration on compacted groomed snow.
This specification describes novel suspension systems and ski designs that in combination have dynamic characteristics that are dramatically different from the conventional skis described above. The automatically adaptive ski described herein responds to a range of conditions defined by the snow and terrain, automatically and instantly transforming the dynamic characteristics of the ski to match those mandated by the currently encountered state of the snow and terrain.
Unlike the previous attempts at a ski that can cope with both powder and firm snow conditions, the implementations of the ski described herein do not require manual switching nor do they exhibit the other compromises as described above. The skier can continuously transition from soft powder to hard-packed groomed runs and back again with confidence and control as the ski will automatically provide the appropriate dynamic characteristics for each condition.
Specifically, when on a firm or hard-packed snow surface, the adaptive ski described herein will concentrate a majority of the skier's weight in the very central area of the ski directly under the ski boot, creating very high edge pressure to penetrate and lock onto the hard snow. Concurrently, the pressure of the skier's weight against the hard snow causes the suspension system to bend the tip and tail downward onto the snow to maintain the requisite consistent tip and tail pressure necessary for stability and control when carving or drifting on firm snow.
Conversely, when very soft snow or powder is encountered, there is no hard snow under the ski to compress the central resilient elements, which then expand. This in turn forces the suspension system to bend the tip and tail upward creating the ideal “rocker” configuration conducive to powder skiing.
This unique ski comprises many construction and design parameters that are diametrically opposite those of conventional skis.
While the suspension systems described herein can be coupled to a wide variety of ski or runner designs, a preferred implementation of this adaptive ski comprises a runner or ski element that exhibits a unique longitudinal flex pattern.
All skis employ a cantilever design whereby the height or thickness of the ski is greatest in the central section under the boot, which creates the maximum stiffness required to resist the large bending moments that emanate from the distant tip and tail. The thickness of the conventional ski then continually diminishes from the thick central section toward the tip and tail in order to provide the appropriate flexibility for the tip and tail to bend, which is necessary in varying degrees when carving a turn or floating in powder. In summary, the conventional ski exhibits a single region of maximum flexural modulus in the approximate longitudinal center or boot binding location, and the flexural modulus continuously diminishes both longitudinally forward and rearward toward the tip and tail respectively.
Conversely to this configuration, another implementation of the adaptive ski described herein features a ski body (runner) that does not exhibit a single area of maximum bending stiffness or flexural modulus in the central most region. Instead, the runner exhibits maximum stiffness and flexural modulus in two areas, one located longitudinally forward of the central area of the ski, and the other located longitudinally behind the central area of the ski. Longitudinally between these two areas, the runner exhibits a stiffness and flexural modulus that is less than that of the said maximum stiff areas to either side. This reduced stiffness in the center of the runner can be achieved by a thinner cross sectional height or a less stiff construction design or by utilizing materials with a lower flexural modulus. This reduced flexural modulus in the center section of the runner can also be achieved by inclusion of one or more hinges between the said two areas of maximum stiffness, the hinges being longitudinally narrow areas of very low flexural strength achieved by a thinner cross sectional height or a less stiff construction design or by utilizing materials with a lower flexural modulus in the hinge area. Additionally, the flex or stiffness of this runner typically diminishes toward the tip from the forward maximum stiffness area, and likewise toward the tail from rearward maximum stiffness area.
In another implementation, brackets are provided at the aforementioned two areas of maximum stiffness to which the support structure of a suspension can be attached to the runner. This support structure and suspension system can also be attached to skis and runners with other longitudinal flex patterns in which case the brackets are attached on the runner/ski at longitudinally central locations separated longitudinally by preferably at least 5 inches. Additionally, stiffening elements can be attached to the ski body that will stiffen the ski body at the locations of the brackets such that the resulting longitudinal flexural modulus of the ski with such elements attached measured at the bracket attachment locations will be greater than the longitudinal flexural modulus of the ski body measured in the region between the two attachment locations. Additionally, the stiffening elements may be integral with the attachment brackets.
The attachment method generally precludes roll and yaw motion between the attached suspension system support structure and the runner body, but typically allows limited relative motion between the attached suspension system support structure and the runner body in the vertical and horizontal planes as well as around the pitch axis. Such relative motion is typically limited by resilient and/or damping materials in the attachment mechanisms.
The suspension system so attached comprises at least one resilient member, where the resilient member(s) is (are) configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure of the suspension system and the runner body in the area between the two attachment points. Typically an adjustment mechanism is provided to adjust the magnitude of this opposing force over a wide range from 0 pounds up to 200 pounds or more. Additionally, the suspension system so attached can also comprise one or more damping elements, the damping elements(s) configured to damp motion between the support structure of the suspension system and the runner body.
Additionally, the attached suspension system can comprise one or more resilient or solid member(s) disposed longitudinally forward or behind the area between the two attachment points, the resilient member(s) configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure of the suspension system and the runner body. Typically, the magnitude of this opposing force can be adjusted over a wide range including precluding the force altogether or applying said force only after the runner body has been bent or deflected to a specific extent.
The suspension system may also include one or more spring-like compressible element(s), e.g., a leaf spring or bow spring, attached between the suspension system support structure, or elements within the support structure, and a front and/or rear longitudinal third of the runner body. This configuration can provide the skis with a significant preload force on the tip and tail while the runner body remains flexible with a relatively low spring rate. With the runner flat on the snow, this high compliance/low spring rate preload already applies a portion of the weight of the skier to the tip and tail of the ski. As a result, as the skier eases into a subtle edge angle, the tip and tail can immediately engage the snow with stability. The skis do not have to be bent up to a threshold arc to turn, and thus the skier can generally steer from wide left turns to wide right turns smoothly with ease. The preload forces also provide significantly greater fore and aft stability for the recreational skier. A beginner and intermediate skier generally has a major problem maintaining balance and stability. A recreational skier typically leans backwards when imbalanced or frightened, which lifts the tip of the ski off the snow causing further loss of turning control which may result in the inevitable fall. It is this loss of control and falling that is the most frequent reason given by those who have given up the sport. The suspension system herein, with the spring-like compressible elements attached between the suspension system and the front and rear longitudinal third of the ski body, precludes this loss of control and potential for falling by creating a long travel, independently pressured tip and tail such that the tip and tail will be kept constantly pressured and curved onto the snow even when the skier becomes significantly imbalanced and/or leans backwards.
Additionally, the magnitude of such preload forces on the tip and tail as well as the magnitude of the camber or “rocker” of the tip and tail can be adjusted. Moreover, this feature that controls the magnitude of the camber or “rocker” of the tip and tail can be coupled to the central area of the ski between the two attachment points in a manner such that the expansion of the central resilient member(s) causes the tip and/or tail to reduce camber (increase “rocker”) and likewise compression of the central resilient member(s) causes the tip and or tail to increase camber (reduce “rocker”).
The runner body can be manufactured with integral camber or integral “rocker” (reverse camber) or horizontally flat with neither camber nor “rocker”. One implementation features a runner body that exhibits significant camber and the attached suspension system comprises elements to restrain or diminish the natural free camber of the runner body in order to create an immediate preload on the tip and tail. The runner body so restrained can exhibit camber or “rocker” or be horizontally flat with neither camber nor “rocker”. The camber restraining mechanism may further include an adjustment device to allow the degree to which the camber is restrained to be adjusted. Moreover, this restraining feature that controls the camber or “rocker” of the tip and tail can be coupled to the central area of the ski between the two attachment points in a manner such that the expansion of the central resilient member(s) causes the tip and or tail to reduce camber (increase “rocker”) and likewise compression of the central resilient member(s) causes the tip and or tail to increase camber (reduce “rocker”).
In addition to providing the aforementioned ability to instantly transform from a cambered groomed terrain ski to a “rockered” powder ski and vice-versa based on the respective snow conditions, the adaptive ski also comprises a shock absorbing function in firm snow conditions. The resilient and/or damping member(s) configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure of the suspension system and the runner body in the area between the two attachment points, effectively mitigate impacts that would otherwise be transmitted directly to the skier. This effect is further enhanced when the suspension system is coupled to the runner body that comprises the central area(s) of reduced flexural modulus.
When the ski is unweighted by the skier in the course of skiing, the pre-loaded resilient member(s), configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure of the suspension system and the runner body in the area between the two attachment points, expand and force the central section of the runner body to bend downward away from the suspension support structure such that the runner body is now convex relative to the snow surface, and therefore this central section of the runner body will be the first to contact the snow when the ski is again weighted. Thus upon weighting the ski, the convex protruding central section of the runner must first be bent to a flat configuration by compressing the resilient and/or damping member(s) before the runner body at the attachment points will contact the firm snow. Since the attachment points are the only direct connection to the skiers boot, the resilient and damping member(s) will absorb and mitigate much of any such impacts before they are transmitted to the ski boot by the attachment points. Furthermore, the attachment elements can provide additional resilient and damping forces in the vertical plane that will further absorb and mitigate impacts.
The design of the adaptive ski described herein also enables the skier to more easily transition from a pure carve to a smooth drift/skid and vice-versa. When on hard snow, the preloaded resilient elements in the center of the ski creates a high PSI (pounds per square inch) pressure on the runner edge immediately under the skiers boot, thus providing great penetration in the hard snow to initiate and maintain a pure carve. However, when the ski is flattened to initiate a skid/drift, this concentrated high pressure in the center of the ski creates a compact pivot platform that makes it easy to swivel the ski into a drift. Simultaneously, the high compliance preloaded spring-like compressible elements attached between the suspension system and the tip and tail areas of the runner body keeps the tip and tail in continuous contact with the snow. Together, these two features provide the skier with an extraordinary level of control while drifting.
According to an innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this application, a ski for use on ice or snow includes a ski body comprising a tip portion, a tail portion, and a longitudinal running length extending between the tip portion and the tail portion and a substantially flat bottom surface for sliding on snow or ice. The ski also includes a suspension system comprised of a substantially rigid support structure secured to the longitudinally central region of the said ski body at two attachment locations separated by a distance of at least 5 inches along the longitudinal axis of the ski body, and at least one resilient element configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body in the area between the two attachment locations.
The ski may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, the opposing force exerted by the resilient element may be concentrated in an area centrally located between the two attachment points. Expansion of the resilient element that is configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body between the two attachment locations may cause the tip and/or tail of the ski body to bend upward, decreasing camber and increasing rocker. Compression of the resilient element that is configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body between the two attachment locations may cause the tip and/or tail of the ski body to bend downward, increasing camber.
The resilient element may be selected from the group consisting of coil springs, torsion springs, torsion bars, leaf springs bow springs, pneumatic springs, and elastomers. The resilient element may include a damping element. The opposing force between the support structure and the ski body exerted by the resilient element may be adjustable. The ski may further include elements that increase the longitudinal flexural modulus of the ski body at the locations where the support structure is attached to the ski body such that the resulting longitudinal flexural modulus of the ski at the locations is greater than the longitudinal flexural modulus of the ski body in the region between the attachment locations.
According to another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this application, a ski for use on ice or snow includes a ski body comprising a tip portion, a tail portion, and a longitudinal running length extending between the tip portion and the tail portion and a substantially flat bottom surface for sliding on snow or ice. The ski also includes a longitudinal flexural modulus that varies from the tip portion to the tail portion such that the longitudinal flexural modulus in a central longitudinal region of the ski is less than the longitudinal flexural modulus both longitudinally fore and aft of the central longitudinal region of the ski body.
The ski may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, the ski body may include one or more grooves cut across a top surface of the ski. The one or more grooves may create a region of flexural modulus in the central longitudinal region of the ski that is less than the longitudinal flexural modulus both longitudinally fore and aft of the central longitudinal region of the ski body.
The ski may include two or more longitudinal regions of low flexural modulus located in the central longitudinal region of the ski body, and longitudinal regions both fore and aft of the central longitudinal region of the ski that exhibit greater longitudinal flexural modulus than the regions of low flexural modulus.
The ski may further include a suspension system having a substantially rigid support structure attached to the ski body at two locations, one location longitudinally forward of the central region of low flexural modulus and the second location longitudinally behind the central region of low flexural modulus.
The ski may further include at least one resilient element configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body in an area centrally located between the two attachment locations. Alternatively, or additionally, the ski may include at least one resilient element secured between the support structure and the ski body, where the resilient element is positioned orthogonal to the support structure and the ski body, and configured to exert an opposing point force between the support structure and the ski body concentrated in a central area between the two attachment locations.
The ski may include a first region of lower flexural modulus and a second region of lower flexural modulus, and a contact region disposed between the first and second regions of lower flexural modulus, wherein the resilient element engages the contact region to exert the opposing force between the support structure and the ski body. The first and second regions of lower flexural modulus may include one or more grooves cut across a top surface of the ski. The resilient element may be two coil springs. Alternatively, the resilient element may be a bow spring.
The resilient element may be selected from the group consisting of coil springs, torsion springs, torsion bars, leaf springs, bow springs, pneumatic springs, and elastomers. The resilient element may include a damping element.
Expansion of the resilient element that is configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body between the two attachment locations may cause the tip and tail of the ski body to bend upward, increasing rocker and decreasing camber. Compression of the resilient element that is configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body between the two attachment locations may cause the tip and tail of the ski body to bend downward, increasing camber. The opposing force between the support structure and the ski body exerted by the resilient element may be adjustable.
The ski may further include two mounting brackets that couple the support structure to the ski body and at least one of the mounting brackets may allow longitudinal movement between the ski body and the support structure. The two mounting brackets may each include elements configured to substantially preclude yaw and roll movement between the support structure and the ski body while allowing elastic movement between the support structure and the ski body in the vertical and longitudinal directions as well as around the pitch axis.
The ski may further include one or more compressible or rigid elements positioned between the support structure and the ski body either forward of or behind the region between the two attachment points to the ski body, where the compressible or rigid elements may be configured so that further upward deflection of the ski body beyond a predetermined degree of deflection will cause the spring rate of the ski body to be greater than that exhibited prior to being deflected to the predetermined degree of deflection. The predetermined degree of deflection of the ski body may be adjustable. The adjustability of the predetermined degree of deflection of the ski body may be independently adjustable for a front half of the ski body and for a rear half of the ski body.
The ski may include one or more compressible or rigid elements positioned between the support structure and the ski body either forward of or behind the region between the two attachment points to the ski body, where the compressible or rigid elements may be configured so that the deflection spring rate of the ski body is greater than that exhibited without the compressible or rigid elements positioned in the support structure.
The ski may include at least one resilient compressive element, where one end of the resilient compressive element may be coupled to either the front or rear quarter of the running length of the ski body, and the other end may be coupled to the front end or rear end of the support structure respectively, or to elements within the support structure. The one or more of the resilient compressive elements may include damping elements.
The ski may include two resilient compressive elements, where one end of the first compressive element may be coupled to the front quarter of the running length of the ski body and the other end may be coupled to the front of the support structure or to elements within the support structure, and one end of the second resilient compressive element may be coupled to the rear quarter of the running length of the ski body, and the other end may be coupled to the rear end of the support structure or to elements within the support structure.
One or more of the compressive resilient elements may be preloaded so that the resilient element will not compress until the compressive force exceeds a specific threshold, and, prior to said specific threshold force being exceeded, elongation or expansion of the preloaded resilient element is precluded.
Compression of the resilient element that is configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body between the two attachment locations, may increase the force that the forward compressive resilient element applies to the forward quarter of the running length of the ski body and/or that the aft compressive resilient element applies to the rear quarter of the running length of the ski body, respectively causing the tip and/or tail of the ski body to bend downward, increasing camber.
Expansion of the compressive resilient element that is configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body between the two attachment locations, may decrease the force that the forward compressive resilient element applies to the forward quarter of the running length of the ski body and/or that the aft compressive resilient element applies to the rear quarter of the running length of the ski body, respectively causing the tip and/or tail of the ski body to bend upward, increasing rocker and decreasing camber.
The compressive resilient element may be adjusted to increase or decrease the natural camber or rocker of the ski body. At a predetermined degree of deflection, the ski body may exhibit a spring rate at least 25% less than the maximum spring rate exhibited by the ski prior to the predetermined degree of deflection. The ski body may be constructed with intrinsic positive camber.
The ski may include a first tensile element, where one end of the first tensile element may be coupled to the front quarter of the running length of the ski body, and the other end may be coupled to the front of the support structure or to elements within the support structure, such that the tensile force reduces the natural camber of the ski body.
The ski may include a second tensile element, where one end of the second tensile element may be coupled to the rear quarter of the running length of the ski body, and the other end may be coupled to the rear of the support structure or to elements within the support structure, such that the tensile forces reduce the natural camber of the ski body.
Compression of the resilient element that is configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body between the two attachment locations, may decrease the force that the first tensile element applies to the forward quarter of the running length of the ski body causing the tip of the ski body to bend downward, increasing camber. Additionally or alternatively, compression of the resilient element that is configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body between the two attachment locations, may decrease the force that the first and second tensile elements apply to the ski body causing the tip and tail of the ski body to bend downward, increasing camber.
Expansion of the resilient element that is configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body between the two attachment locations, may increase the force that the first tensile element applies to the forward quarter of the running length of the ski body causing the tip of the ski body to bend upward, increasing rocker and decreasing camber. Additionally or alternatively, expansion of the resilient element that is configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body between the two attachment locations, may increase the force that the first and second tensile elements apply to the forward quarter and rear quarter of the running length of the ski body respectively, causing the tip and tail of the ski body to bend upward, increasing rocker and decreasing camber.
Coupling of the resilient element to the forward and/or rear running length of the ski body, may preclude roll movement along the longitudinal axis between the ski body and the support structure, increasing the overall torsional rigidity of the ski.
The details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.
The runner or ski part of the disclosed implementations of the adaptive ski is not a cantilever design nor does it feature a single region of maximum flexural strength in the longitudinal central section as described above. The preferred implementation of the adaptive ski comprises a runner (ski part) with a low flexural modulus in the longitudinal central region relative to two stiffer sections of the runner toward both the tip and tail.
These stiffening elements 53 can be created for example by forming an additional layer or thickness of material including fiberglass, polyurethane, and/or other suitable resin material that can be bonded to the ski body in a variety of ways to increase the flexural modulus around the area of the mounting brackets 13. Additionally, these stiffening elements 53 can be integral with the mounting brackets 13 to which a suspension system can be attached. Typically these stiffening elements 53 and attachment brackets 13 are separated longitudinally by preferably at least 5 inches (12.7 cm) as illustrated by the distance ‘C’ in
The runner 12 can be manufactured with the bottom essentially flat as depicted in
The mounting brackets 13 may comprise a resilient element 30 that comprises a lateral bore through the center 15. A support structure 16 is attached to brackets 13 by pins 17 that pass through the said bores 15 in the resilient elements 30 as well as corresponding bores in the support structure 16.
With the support structure 16 thusly attached to the ski body 12, the combined structure comprises one or more resilient elements 47 arranged to create an opposing force between the support structure 16 and the ski body 12 in the area between said mounting brackets 13. The resilient element(s) 47 can be selected from the group consisting of coil springs, torsion springs, torsion bars, leaf springs, bow springs, elastomers, and pneumatic springs. Said resilient elements 47 may also exhibit damping characteristics.
The resilient element(s) 47 may include a mechanism to adjust the magnitude of the opposing force that said resilient element 47 exerts between the support structure 16 and the runner body 12. Such mechanism may comprise a threaded stud 44 and a threaded ring 45 allowing said opposing force to be adjusted over a wide range from null to over 200 pounds by rotating the threaded ring 45 on the threaded stud 44 to compress or expand the resilient element 47, effectively raising or lowering the force applied by the resilient element 47.
The support structure 16 may also comprise one or more resilient elements 46 positioned fore and/or aft of the region between the mounting brackets 13. The resilient element(s) 46 can be selected from the group consisting of coil springs, torsion springs, torsion bars, leaf springs, bow springs, elastomers, and pneumatic springs. The resilient elements 46 may also exhibit damping characteristics. The opposing force that said resilient element 46 exerts between the support structure 16 and the runner body 12 may be adjusted by a threaded stud 44 and a threaded ring 45 allowing said opposing force to be adjusted over a wide range by rotating the threaded ring 45 on threaded stud 44 to extend or retract the resilient element 46. The adjustment mechanism may change the vertical position of the resilient element 46 relative to the runner body 12 such that the resilient element will not engage the runner body 12 until the runner body is bent upward or deflected to a predetermined amount such as during skiing.
The suspension system may also include one or more compressible resilient assemblies attached between an end of the support structure, or elements within the support structure, and the tip and/or tail region of the runner body 12. These compressible resilient assemblies can be selected from the group of compressible resilient elements that include coil springs, leaf springs, bow springs, elastomers, and pneumatic springs. The implementation of
The runner body 12 of this implementation shown in
When the adaptive ski encounters soft snow or powder, there is no longer firm snow under the runner at B and the spring 47 expands against the center section of the runner 12, pivoting the center section downward on the pins 17 in the mounting brackets 13 as depicted in
When the runner 12 comprises the previously described flexible center area 52, this unique functionality, depicted in
This novel functionality represents the first ever alpine ski that will automatically transform into an ideal powder ski in powder and an ideal carving ski on firm groomed slopes.
The functionality of this implementation is conceptually identical to that depicted and described by
Conversely, when the runner 12 encounters soft snow or powder, the springs 47 will expand as illustrated and explained in
Additionally, this implementation can be combined with the implementation depicted in
When the runner 12 encounters soft snow or powder, the springs 47 will expand as illustrated and explained in
Conversely, when the runner 12 is on firm or hard snow as in
Conversely, when the bow spring 51 expands vertically, the extremities will move longitudinally inward toward the center of the support structure 16, causing the sliding hinge blocks 32 to also move longitudinally toward the center of the support structure 16. This in turn, via the linkages 35, pulls the respective sliding hinge blocks 38 longitudinally inward toward the center of the support structure 16. This in turn pulls the mounting hinge bosses 37A of the spring assembly 29 inward toward the support structure 16 resulting in the spring assembly 29, and thus compressive resilient elements 39, pulling the tip and tail further upward into a more extreme rocker configuration, ideal for powder conditions.
It is understood that this invention is not confined to the particular implementations shown and described herein, the same being merely illustrative, and that this invention may be carried out in other ways within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention as it is understood by those skilled in the art that the particular implementations shown and described are only a few of the many that may be employed to attain the express and implied objects of the invention.
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